Improved model for air pressure due to wind on 2D freak waves in finite depth

This paper presents an improved model for evaluating air pressure acting on 2D freak waves in a finite depth due to the presence of winds. This pressure model is developed by analysing the pressure distribution over freak waves using the QALE-FEM/StarCD approach, which combines the quasi arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian finite element method (QALE-FEM) with the commercial software package StarCD and has been proven to be sufficiently accurate for such cases according to our previous publication Yan and Ma (2010) [8]. In this model for air pressure, the pressure is decomposed into the components related to the local wave profiles and others. By coupling with the QALE-FEM, the accuracy of the pressure model is tested using various cases. The results show that the pressure distribution estimated using this model is close to that computed by using the QALE-FEM/StarCD approach when there is no significant vortex shedding and wave breaking. The accuracy investigation in predicting the freak wave heights and elevations demonstrates that this pressure model is much better than others in the literature so far used for modelling wind effects on freak waves in finite depth

Leishmania donovani complex: genotyping with the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and the mini-exon.

Intergenic region typing by restriction analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mini-exon provide diagnostic markers for some Leishmania. Here, we evaluate restriction analysis of these targets for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis within the Leishmania donovani complex (agents of visceral leishmaniasis). Each method was useful for genotyping of both L. donovani complex strains and Old World Leishmania species. The targets produced less robust groups than gp63 intergenic regions, but support the need for re-evaluation of the taxonomy of the L. donovani complex

Immunological selection for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis antigens.

Comparative ELISA and selective immunoblotting procedures were used in attempts to identify differential serological indicators of infection with the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis complex, infection with the L. braziliensis species, and therapeutic cure of localized or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL or MCL). Although mean ELISA absorbance values were significantly higher for MCL sera than for LCL sera, absorbance could not be used as a reliable indicator of the clinical form of disease. Immunoblotting profiles were similar with sera from MCL and LCL. Pre-adsorption with heterologous trypanosomatid antigens indicated that recognition of antigens of about 56, 60, 66, 72, 88 and 110 kDa might be specific to the subgenus Viannia. In two-colour, sequential, dual ELISA-based immunoblotting, no antigens recognized only by sera from MCL patients were detected. After glucantime therapy, immunoblotting profiles with LCL sera were reduced both in intensity and in the range of antigens detected; a 104-kDa antigen was newly detected with post-treatment LCL sera. Overall, the results show the value of differential immunological detection strategies and support the close relationship between species of the subgenus Viannia but fail to indicate a prognostic antigen for MCL

Measurement of the spin-orbit coupling interaction in ring-core optical fibers

Ring-core optical fibers have been designed to carry orbital angular momentum modes. We demonstrate the imaging of these modes, individually identifying modes separated temporally by only 30 ps. A single-pixel camera operating in the short-wave infrared detection range is used to image the 1550 nm wavelength optical modes. With this technique, examination of these optical modes can be performed with significantly higher temporal resolution than is possible with conventional imaging systems, such that the imaging of modes separated by spin-orbit coupling is achieved and evaluated. Deconvolution is required to separate the instrument response from the optical mode signal, increasing the clarity and temporal resolution of the measurement system

Assembly and force measurement with SPM-like probes in holographic optical tweezers

We report a high fidelity tomographic reconstruction of the quantum state of photon pairs generated by parametric down-conversion with orbital angular momentum (OAM) entanglement. Our tomography method allows us to estimate an upper and lower bound for the entanglement between the down-converted photons. We investigate the two-dimensional state subspace defined by the OAM states ±ℓ and superpositions thereof, with ℓ=1, 2, ..., 30. We find that the reconstructed density matrix, even for OAMs up to around ℓ=20, is close to that of a maximally entangled Bell state with a fidelity in the range between F=0.979 and F=0.814. This demonstrates that, although the single count-rate diminishes with increasing ℓ, entanglement persists in a large dimensional state space

Conjoint analysis of researchers' hidden preferences for bibliometrics, altmetrics, and usage metrics

The amount of annually published scholarly articles is growing steadily, as is the number of indicators through which impact of publications is measured. Little is known about how the increasing variety of available metrics affects researchers' processes of selecting literature to read. We conducted ranking experiments embedded into an online survey with 247 participating researchers, most from social sciences. Participants completed series of tasks in which they were asked to rank fictitious publications regarding their expected relevance, based on their scores regarding six prototypical metrics. Through applying logistic regression, cluster analysis, and manual coding of survey answers, we obtained detailed data on how prominent metrics for research impact influence our participants in decisions about which scientific articles to read. Survey answers revealed a combination of qualitative and quantitative characteristics that researchers consult when selecting literature, while regression analysis showed that among quantitative metrics, citation counts tend to be of highest concern, followed by Journal Impact Factors. Our results suggest a comparatively favorable view of many researchers on bibliometrics and widespread skepticism toward altmetrics. The findings underline the importance of equipping researchers with solid knowledge about specific metrics' limitations, as they seem to play significant roles in researchers' everyday relevance assessments